The best traffic-free bike rides in Dartmoor

Dartmoor offers a wide selection of touring cycling routes designed to minimize traffic. Our guide features over 230 routes, ranging from easy to difficult, ensuring options for various skill levels and preferences.

Yes, Dartmoor has several easy and family-friendly options. For instance, the Burrator Reservoir loop is an easy 7.8 km route with minimal elevation gain, perfect for a relaxed ride. The region's network of quiet lanes and designated cycle routes, including former railway lines, often provides traffic-free sections suitable for families.

Dartmoor's routes offer varied terrain. You'll find expansive skylines and ridges, deep river valleys, and broadleaf woodlands. Many no-traffic routes utilize former railway lines, providing relatively flat and smooth surfaces. However, even on quieter roads, Dartmoor is known for its challenging climbs, so be prepared for some elevation changes, especially if you venture onto routes like the River Dart loop from Ashburton.

Dartmoor is rich in natural beauty and historical sites. You might encounter impressive granite tors like Hay Tor, King's Tor, and Hound Tor, or serene reservoirs such as Burrator Reservoir. Historical sites include prehistoric remnants like ancient hill forts and stone circles. For example, you can explore Lydford Castle and Saxon Town or the stunning Castle Drogo.

Yes, Dartmoor is well-suited for circular routes. The Dartmoor Way Cycle Route is a popular 90 to 95-mile circular route that encircles the National Park, often utilizing quiet Devon lanes and traffic-free sections. Shorter loops are also available, such as the Tavistock & Burrator Reservoir loop from Yelverton.

The best time to cycle Dartmoor is generally from spring to autumn (April to October) when the weather is milder and daylight hours are longer. Summer offers the warmest temperatures, but can also be busier. Spring and autumn provide beautiful scenery with fewer crowds. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out, as conditions on the moor can change rapidly.

Yes, many routes connect attractive towns and villages across Dartmoor, providing opportunities for breaks, meals, and overnight stays. You'll find cafes, pubs, and accommodation options in places like Princetown, Ashburton, and Moretonhampstead, which are often starting or passing points for these routes.

While Dartmoor is best explored by car for flexibility, some towns and villages on the edge of the National Park are accessible by bus or train, which can then connect you to cycling routes. For detailed public transport information, it's best to consult local transport providers or the Dartmoor National Park Authority website.

The komoot community highly rates touring cycling in Dartmoor, with an average score of 4.4 stars. Reviewers often praise the stunning, varied landscapes, the sense of wildness and tranquility on the quieter routes, and the abundance of historical and natural landmarks. The opportunity to see Dartmoor ponies roaming freely is also a frequently mentioned highlight.

Yes, Dartmoor features impressive natural gorges and waterfalls. For example, Lydford Gorge is a spectacular natural attraction with a dramatic waterfall, and the Devil's Cauldron within it. These can often be reached via short detours from nearby cycling paths, offering a refreshing break and stunning views.

Parking is generally available at various points around Dartmoor, particularly in the larger towns and villages that serve as gateways to the National Park, such as Princetown, Yelverton, and Ashburton. Many designated cycle routes also have car parks at their trailheads. Always check local signage for parking restrictions and fees.